When Love Becomes a Cage (Melanie)

Clyde bombarded me with calls, even reached out to the office, insisting I visit him at his workspace.

Lina gave me a troubled look, "Hey, maybe you should check on him?"

"Tell him I'm swamped. If he needs something, he can come down here."

My fingers danced nonstop on the keyboard, not pausing for a second.

Earlier, Kayla cornered me in the lobby, obviously trying to make her pregnancy public knowledge - and the baby was Clyde's.

But she didn't have the guts to say it outright, so she provoked me instead.

However, I kept my voice so low, only the three of us knew what was being said.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

As for Clyde being mad, I couldn't care less.

If he could bring someone home while I was out busting my ass making deals, couldn't I throw a few words around?

I wasn't upset, but he sure was.

He still drove me to and from work every day, not speaking a word, which suited me just fine.

Materials delivered, project underway, it seemed like everything at Patterson Group was looking up, except York wasn't having it. When he stormed into the Design Department, he demanded to be involved in the bridge project I was managing.

"No way. You think you can design? Then show it. Otherwise, back off."

My tone was icy, a clear dismissal.

It was public knowledge that York and I didn't see eye to eye, and frankly, I didn't care.

He was just another one of Merritt's inserts, and I couldn't let him meddle in such a crucial project.

A Patterson heir needed victories, and this win wasn't going to be York's; I'd rather go all out for Clyde.

But Merritt stepped in, directly ordering York to oversee the project without any real power.

Negotiations with several companies went south because of him, nearly pushing me to a breaking point until Clyde stepped in.

"Let's head home, we'll talk there."

He practically dragged me out.

Back home, I drowned my frustrations in a gallon of ice cream, finally feeling a bit calmer.

Clyde looked at me, hesitating to speak.

"Out with it."

I glared at him, cracking open another ice cream.

"There are plenty of companies we could partner with. If you don't agree with his proposal, and he doesn't agree with yours, when will this project ever start? Who knows design better, him or me? Who's the director here? I have the final say on the bridge design, not you or the Patterson family. Just because you pay my salary doesn't mean I have to nod along with everything!"

I always stood my ground when it came to work.

Having a non-expert lead a team of professionals was a surefire way to waste time and sink the project.

York wanted to involve some underqualified companies he was chummy with, which was a line crossed for me.

Clyde nodded, "Okay, I get it. But we still need to find the right partner."

"Aspire World. They have the

credentials, the team, and affordable suppliers. They're the obvious choice!"

This just made me angrier.

Anyone with eyes could see Aspire World was the best fit. But Clyde wouldn't budge, and York blocked them, even denying Vinson a meeting!

"No, I said no dealings with Vinson!" Clyde huffed, slumping on the couch, blatantly ignoring me.

No matter the explanation, he refused to see reason.

"He's up to no good with you, taking you to some godforsaken mountainside. I don't buy it!"

His stubbornness was immovable.

Just as I was about to lose it, Kayla's call came through.

Clyde barely uttered two words before jumping up.

“Kayla, don't be scared. I'm heading to the hospital now."

He left without looking back, not even a word to me.

Standing there, I deflated, wondering why I was even fighting so hard.

When Vinson called, I was still in a daze.

It took me a moment to understand he was inviting me to dinner to discuss the partnership.

Without thinking, I agreed.

This project was my baby, our

team's pride. Clyde aside, we needed

a solid

partner, maybe my swan

song at Patterson Group.

Arriving at the restaurant, I was hit by an intoxicating aroma.

"Why this private room?"

It was the most secluded one, usually not Vinson's pick.

He seemed resigned, "Who knows? It's unusually busy today, this was all they had."

I didn't overthink it and took a seat.

But soon, I felt dizzy, noticing Vinson's flushed face.

Recalling the aroma, I pinched my arm to stay alert and quickly called Eliana.

But my clarity was fading, managing only to whisper, "Help.”

Not long after, the door burst open.

Seeing Eliana and Warren, I blacked out, realizing too late I'd been set up.

The next thing I knew, a scandalous video of me and a man in that room spread like wildfire online.